KCG May 2020 by The Kansas City Gardener

The Kansas City

GARDENER A Monthly Guide to Successful Gardening

May 2020

Hydrangea macrophylla

Summer Crush stunning color, distinctive re-bloomer

Kids Ask Dr. Bug Adjusting Irrigation Controllers Best Butterfly Host Plants Trees of the Great Amur River Valley

editor’s notes

The Kansas City

GARDENER A Monthly Guide to Successful Gardening

Nurturing Garden

Independently owned and operated since 1996 Publisher Michael Cavanaugh Editor Elizabeth Cavanaugh Contributors Jim Earnest Dudley Grossman Lenora Larson Ken O’Dell Dennis Patton Judy Penner Tamra Reall Chelsea Didde Rice Denise Sullivan Scott Woodbury Distribution Publishers Delivery Solutions, Inc.

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P.O. Box 8725 Prairie Village, KS 66208 Phone: 913-648-4728 For advertising information contact Michael Cavanaugh at mike@kcgmag.com

hether walking in the woods, shelling on the beach, or cycling on the trails, an encounter with nature is beneficial for most. Benefits include reduced anxiety and stress, lower heart rate, and general mood lifting. For me, gardening offers the same rewards plus tangible ones like food and flowers. That is why the quote above resonates so profoundly, and reminds me how essential gardening is to my quality of life. So when I read an interesting article last month about the renewed fascination with home gardening amid this coronavirus pandemic, I was not surprised. The April 20th Reuters story “Home gardening blooms around the world during coronavirus lockdowns,” authored by Christopher Walljasper and Tom Polansek highlighted evidence surrounding people turning to gardening “as a soothing, family friendly hobby that also eases concerns over food security.” Fruit and vegetable seed sales have surged as witnessed by com-

panies like W. Atlee Burpee & Co., Territorial Seed Company, and Stokes Seeds. With more free time on their hands during the stay-at-home order, people are easing their food availability anxiety by focusing on growing their own–or at least some of it. The article concludes, “Gardening may be a rare positive trend to emerge from the crippling pandemic, said Diane Blazek, executive director of the U.S. industry group National Garden Bureau. We’ll come out in the end and hopefully everyone will be eating better and gardening more and more self-reliant, she said.” I suspect this will ring true. Others, I’ve learned, are ramping up their cooking skills, cleaning out closets that’s long overdue, and returning to hand crafts like sewing and crocheting. I too have spent more time with knitting projects.

Submit editorial questions to Elizabeth Cavanaugh at elizabeth@kcgmag.com

In this issue

See us on the Web: www.kcgmag.com

May 2020 • Vol. 25 No. 5

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We may think we are nurturing our garden, but of course it’s our garden that is really nurturing us. ~Jenny Uglow

May 2020 | kcgmag.com

Kids Ask Dr. Bug ...................... 4 Ask the Experts ........................ 6 Trees of Amur River Valley ........ 8 Rose Report ............................ 9 Milkweed for your garden ........ 10 Summer Crush Hydrangea ....... 12 American Sycamore Tree ......... 14 Union Hill Garden Tour ............ 15

about the cover ...

Much like gardening, it is relaxing and requires patience. Life in lockdown has pushed our thinking out of the norm, to critically examine how we spend time with family and friends, and to explore creative solutions to unprecedented problems. Personally I recognize my need to reduce anxiety. My worries are no different than yours–job security, finances, and health, not only my own but also for family and friends. When I’m in the garden though, all of that anxiousness and worry seems to dissipate. For a little while, I’m able to clear away negative thinking, allowing space for gratitude to reside. With more gratefulness, I am more at peace. Never underestimate the healing power of quiet moments in the garden. I’ll see you in the garden!

Butterfly Host Plants ................. 16 Plants on Your Plate – Beets ...... 17 Powell Gardens ....................... 18 Upcoming Events ..................... 19 Adjust Irrigation Controllers ...... 20 Garden Calendar .................... 22 Hotlines .................................. 23 Subscribe ................................ 23

Summer Crush hydrangea is a showstopper. Learn more about this hydrangea beginning on page 12. Photo courtesy of Bailey Nursery.

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Kids Ask Dr. Bug What kinds of bugs are in my backyard? Martin, 6 So. Many. Different. Insects! Honey bees, ants, beetles, mosquitoes, praying mantises, hover flies, wasps, squash bugs, flea beetles, bumble bees, stink bugs, green lacewings, brown lacewings, dragonflies, damselflies, springtails, scale, aphids, . . . I could go on and on. There are millions of different species of insects, and many of those can be found in your yard. Quick facts: How many of the insects listed are true bugs? Two (squash bugs and stink bugs)! Guess how many of those insects listed are dangerous? One (mosquitoes), maybe 3 (honey bees and wasps), if you are allergic to their venom. Most insects are beneficial, including the honey bees and wasps.

If I plant a tomato, will it grow into a plant? Isela, 9 Under the right circumstances, yes! The seeds in tomatoes are fully developed. However, the gel around the seeds has a chemical that keeps the seeds from germinating. This gel inhibitor helps the seeds wait until the fruit is eaten and moved away from the mother plant so it has a better chance at surviving. However, you can open the tomato and put it in well-drained soil. Keep the soil moist and warm. Tomato plants may emerge in about 2 weeks. Try growing seedlings from an heirloom tomato from a farmers market! Do insects have homes? Tani, 7 Yes and no. Some insects have a home they constructed, like bees in

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a beehive. Other insects make their own home and carry it with them – bagworms and caddisfly larvae are good examples. Organisms that live with ants in their colonies are called myrmecophiles. Some insect live inside other insects, and many of these are what we call beneficials because they kill insects that harm our plants. Many other insects just rest in a protected spot when they need to, such as the underside of a leaf. Is it true that if you cut a worm in half, you get two worms? Steve, 13 No, that will kill the worm. If a worm loses its tail, however, it can grow a new one. If the tail gets damaged, another one can grow and you might end up with a twotailed worm! It would be hard to move in the soil with two tails, though. Did you know that worms don’t have teeth? They have a crop and gizzard, like birds, and need sand or grit in the gizzard to grind up the food. Earthworms help decompose dead plant and animal materials in the soil. Bacteria and fungi growing on the decomposing organic matter are what provide nutrition to worms. Dr. Bug’s springtime reminder: Spring rain leaves puddles where mosquitoes lay eggs. Empty any standing water in your yard. Remember to look for buckets, old

Photo by Tamra Reall.

Home to more than plants, kids ask DR. TAMRA REALL about the curious things found in the garden.

Earthworms help decompose dead plant and animal materials in the soil. tires, tire swings, gutters, etc. More places to lay eggs means more mosquitoes and more mosquito bites. Long sleeves and repellent are important to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne diseases. Dr. Tamra Reall (@MUExtBugN Garden) is the new horticulture specialist for MU Extension in Jackson County. For free, research-based gardening tips, call 816-833-TREE (8733), email mggkc.hotline@gmail.com, or visit www.extension2.missouri.edu.

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Ask the Experts Gardeners have plenty of questions about soil and plant issues, DENNIS PATTON answers a few of them here. GARDEN TOUR STATUS Question: With the COVID-19 outbreak, will you still be holding the Extension Master Gardener Garden Tour in May? Answer: No, the tour has been cancelled at this time. We are exploring options to reschedule later in the year, maybe September. Please stay tuned as we see how the pandemic impacts any future plans. The Kansas City Gardener is always your best source of information. Thanks for asking. BOXWOOD BEARING OFFENSIVE ODOR Question: Is it just me, or do my boxwoods smell like cat pee? Answer: Here is the good news, you are not dreaming. Some species of boxwood can give off a distinct cat urine odor. There are a

It seems popular boxwood variety ‘Green Velvet’ does not smell offensive.

Hellebore in full bloom.

variety of boxwood species on the market, many of which have been cross-bred, making this question tricky to answer. ‘Suffruiticose’ Buxus sempervirens or English boxwood tends to be the main culprit when it

ago. I also found that they will reseed. Can I transplant the seedlings to start new plants? If so, when is the best time to transplant? Answer: I also love my Hellebores. They produce attractive flowers in late winter, letting us know that spring is coming. The evergreen foliage is eye catching, even in the coldest months. The best time to transplant or divide a mature clump is in the fall, September through early October, as the plant is dormant heading into winter. This is true of most early flowering perennials. As for the seedlings, I would do it in the spring or fall. I have found many of the seedlings are under the mother plant and get shaded out. Gently lift the seedling and transplant to a pot for the summer. This will ensure greater success of survival to the new location. Or since

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comes to giving off the unpleasant odor. Buxus microphylla Littleleaf boxwood and other Japanese or Korean types tend not to have that issue. My best advice is before purchasing the variety for your project, gently crush a few leaves with your fingers and take in a deep breath. That way you should know for sure if you are going to have a problem. Some of the most popular boxwood varieties, like Green Velvet and Green Mountain, are crosses. Research, plus my own personal experience, found these varieties don’t have the odor. Do your own research and avoid straight English boxwood. Take in a deep breath before putting it into the cart.

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To keep as a shrub, prune crepe myrtle stems back to ground level. the seedlings are immature and not flowering, my experience is they move just as easily in the spring. KNOW WHEN TO PRUNE CREPE MYRTLE Question: How do I know when to prune crepe myrtle? Answer: This southern plant is beautiful and one of the last to wake up from winter. It might be well into May before it shows signs of life. Here is my simple crepe myrtle pruning method. If you want to keep it a shrub, then each spring simply cut all the stems back to ground level. All the new growth will emerge from below the soil line. It will flower on new growth, so expect a summer of color. If you have the desire for it to look more like a tree commonly found in the south, then wait until it tells you what is alive or has been winterkilled. If leaves appear on the upper branches only, prune back to the live bud. In the last few years, crepe myrtle has been win-

terkilled to the ground. If you are in a warmer micro-climate, there is a better chance of it becoming a larger shrubby tree. We are still too far north for this to occur on a regular basis. Tulsa? Yes. Wichita? Maybe. Kansas City? No. GROWING VEGETABLES IN CONTAINERS Question: Like many during this pandemic, I have been staying at home. Can I grow vegetables in containers? I thought that would be a fun project for us to watch them grow. Answer: Yes, many of our favorite veggies do nicely in a pot. Here are a couple of tips. Most vegetables need full sun for best growth, especially tomatoes and peppers. As for the container, it must have a drainage hole and filled with quality potting mix. I recommend purchasing potting mix and never use soil from the garden. It is too heavy and does not drain properly.

Yes, you can grow cucumbers in containers. The big question is pot size. It goes without saying, the bigger the pot, the bigger the return. Pot size varies so much with width and depth. Here are a few examples in gallons as I think we can relate to a 5-gallon bucket. A pepper plant requires at least 3 gallons of soil, 5 gallons might be better. Tomatoes perfect for slicing will need at least 5 gallons, maybe 7 to 10 for a large vined plant. There are patio and bush cherry type tomatoes that could survive on a couple of gallons of soil. My advice is to experiment and see what works. Keep in mind, containers need frequent watering and a steady dose of fertilizer as the nutrients are used and leached from the pot. One last comment. Don’t fill the pot with filler, rocks, Styrofoam and such. Fill the pot with the potting soil. More soil provides more roots and more rewards. This is true for flower containers as well.

IS ‘MIRACLE GRASS’ A REAL THING Question: It seems like every spring, I see an advertisement for a miracle grass in magazines. I have been tempted to order the seeds. What do you know about these grasses advertised? Answer: I see these advertisements also and just roll my eyes at their claims. There are no miracle grass species. All have some issues. I won’t mention any grass seed mix by name, but one on the market includes the name of a country with a maple leaf on the national flag. I did some research and what I discovered is this “miracle” seed was 50% creeping red fescue (not heat or drought-tolerant this far south), 24% annual ryegrass (that means it will die at the end of the season), 14% perennial ryegrass (very high maintenance), and about 4% bluegrass (who knows what variety). Hopefully, by now, you realize this is junk! I would not waste my money purchasing grass seed from advertisements in any magazine. Kansas City is blessed with many great full-line, customer-friendly garden centers. They do their best to find the varieties of tall fescue and bluegrass best suited for our area. Shop local. Lastly, just keep wishing for a miracle in lawn care. Dennis Patton is the horticulture agent for Johnson County K-State Research and Extension. For free information fact sheets, visit www.johnson.ksu.edu, or call the Extension office at 913-715-7000.

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Trees of the Great Amur River Valley

orming the border between Southeast Russia and Northeast China is one of the world’s longest rivers. The mighty Amur river flows through 1,755 miles of this rugged terrain made up of forests, flood plains, and villages. In 1855 Russian naturalist Richard Karl Maak (18251886) explored the great valley. Plants were later brought to North America and Western Europe in 1903 when C. S. Sargent (18411927), director of the Arnold Arboretum at Harvard University, spent six months gathering plants, seeds, and roots in the valley. Growing in our city parks, arboretums, and public gardens are some of these interesting trees. Amur Maackia is a medium size tree to 40 feet tall and nearly as wide. This member of the pea fam-

ily has creamy-white flowers in upright clusters in late June or July. Amur Maackia (scientific name Maackia amurensis) is named for the same Russian naturalist, Karl Maak. The clean green leaves are similar to our native Black Locust. Very attractive bark with some exfoliating in shades of copper and greenish-tan. You can see this tree at the Overland Park Arboretum near Erickson Water Garden and at Linda Hall Library. Two species of Yellowwood Tree both originated years ago in the Amur River Valley. Cladrastis kentukea, the American Yellowwood, is native in the United States. This beautiful tree has large panicles of white flowers in spring. You can see the American Yellowwood at Linda Hall Library, Overland Park Arboretum and Loose Park.

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KEN O’DELL identifies characteristics of trees from the Amur River Valley and where they are growing locally.

American Yellowwood in Loose Park, June.

American Yellowwood in Overland Park Arboretum, October.

Amur Maackia in Overland Park Arboretum.

Fruit of the Amur Cork Tree.

Another species, the Japanese Yellowwood, Cladrastis platycarpa, may be seen at Linda Hall Library. If you google the name of a tree – Japanese Yellowwood Linda Hall Library – it will take you to the site with a map and information about all of the 335 trees growing at Linda Hall. All of the trees at Linda Hall are marked with metal tree stakes which are easy to read. Black Bob Park in Olathe has a perfect 30-foot tall Amur Cork Tree, Phellodendron amurense,

from the Amur River Valley. Dark green foliage, panicles of yellowish-green flowers in May or June and round, green fruit the size of dime which looks like the inside of a kiwi when cut open. This cold hardy tree is in the rue or citrus family. Ken O’Dell is a lifetime member of the Friends of the Arboretum. He is a long time volunteer at the Overland Park Arboretum and is the Kansas City regional leader of the Kansas Native Plant Society.

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Rose Report JUDY PENNER talks about the importance of insect control.

am writing this article on March 21st and the weather has been warm most of the month, until yesterday when the temperature dipped down to 25 degrees. The saying March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb is proving just the opposite this year. The roses up to this point have all had green canes. In fact I have seen roses leafing out and many basal breaks (the new shoots emerging from the base of the rose just above the bud union). The active growth is too early for my liking. Experience reminds me that freezes and snow are still possible in the season. But, sage advice for any rose grower is to keep mulch or compost nearby the roses until the weather consistently warms up. May is a time to look out for insects, in particular Aphids and Rose slugs. Aphids have mouth parts that pierce the plant tissue and then suck out vital plant juices. They typically target soft stems, tender buds and new leaves. Aphids also excrete a sticky substance known as honeydew, which attracts ants and other pests, developing into unsightly sooty mold. The Rose slugs make rose leaves look like Swiss cheese but in most cases, the damage is aesthetic, rarely threating the health of the roses. Managing these two pests may be done one of two ways. The non-

chemical approach requires picking the Rose slugs off the leaves. However, this will be challenging since they are quite small and you will probably notice the damage before you notice the slugs. Aphids on the other hand can be washed off with a strong spray of water from your garden hose. Both methods will require daily observation and vigilant removal of the pests. The chemical approach kills pests quickly, but the down side is that whenever using pesticides you potentially could kill the beneficial insects. When using pesticides I recommend inspecting the garden daily and only spraying when you see a pest problem. Go to your local garden center to get the appropriate chemical to rid your roses of pests. Please be safe when spraying chemicals and always read the entire label, following the guidelines on the container. I hope you all are staying safe during the coronavirus pandemic and that you can find refuge in your gardens during this time of isolation. Remember to Stop and Smell the Roses!

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The Kansas City Gardener | May 2020

The Right Milkweed for Your Garden

ilkweeds are great garden plants, but each species has its own sun and soil moisture requirements to grow well. There are exceptions, like common and marsh milkweed, which grow well in a variety of soil types including wet and dry clay soil. The rest have more specific garden requirements for success. All milkweed species are the larval food source for monarch butterfly caterpillars and a great source of nectar for bees, butterflies, and other insects. Here is a list of milkweed species that are worth growing and are available commercially in Missouri, although some species are easier to find from growers than others.

Tall green milkweed (Asclepias hirtella) is a clump-forming perennial that grows wild in tallgrass prairies. It has creamy white flower clusters along the sides of erect 3- to 4-foot stems. Leaves are long and narrow resembling those of prairie blazing star. In gardens, plants prefer well-drained or sloping sites. Marsh or swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) is a clump-forming perennial growing 3 to 4 feet tall. It is a wetland species that tolerates poorly drained clay soils with low oxygen. It also tolerates periods of drought and so is an ideal rain garden plant (rain garden soils fluctuate widely from wet to dry). Pink flower clusters attract a wide variety of pollinators and predators in late sum-

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Asclepias incarnata

Asclepias syriaca

mer. Monarchs frequently lay their eggs on this species. It sometimes is short-lived and performs best in full sun and moist soils. Aquatic milkweed (Asclepias perennis) is an emergent aquatic species that grows at the edge of water in full sun to part shade. Plant it at the edge of a pond or in a pot submerged in a water garden or small pond. It can grow in water up to 18 inches deep or in soil that is permanently saturated. Its flowers resemble marsh milkweed, but tend to be more white than pink. Purple milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens) is a woodland

perennial growing 3 feet tall. It grows in open woodlands, woodland edges, and occasionally prairies and glades. It is sought-after by gardeners for its fragrant reddish purple flower clusters that bloom in early summer. It is one of the top butterfly and pollinator attractors. Performs best in light shade and dry to average welldrained soils. Plants usually are clump-forming, but occasionally seedlings will sucker moderately. Sullivant’s milkweed (Asclepias sullivantii) is a moderately suckering perennial growing 3 to 4 feet tall in wet prairies. Its

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Asclepias purpurascens

Asclepias sullivantii

Asclepias hirtella

Butterfly milkweed Whitmire Wildflower Garden

flowering stems are widely spaced, appearing by surprise 5 to 10 feet away from parent plants. Because it meanders in gardens, it makes an excellent choice for green mulch and designed plant community gardens. It looks similar to common milkweed, but not as aggressive. Flowers are pink with salmonpink leaf veins. It performs best in full sun in wet to average soils. Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is a moderate to aggressive suckering perennial growing 3 to 4 feet tall. Its flowering stems are widely spaced. It has fragrant flowers in mid to late summer that attract a variety of pollinators and predators that ambush the pollinators. It grows wild in tallgrass prairies, along roadsides and at the edges of farm fields. It is a preferred milkweed of monarch butterflies, which lay eggs on the leaves. It performs best in full sun but tolerates partial shade. In part

shade, it is less aggressive but also flowers slightly less. Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) is a clump-forming perennial growing 2 feet tall with orange to reddish orange flowers in summer. It grows wild in dry prairies and sloped roadsides. In gardens it requires well drained soils, and can be a successful garden plant, although likely half the gardeners I know report having poor success growing this species. It is one of the top butterfly and pollinator attractors and performs best in full sun and dry soils. Spider milkweed (Asclepias viridis) is a clump-forming perennial growing 1 to 2 feet tall. It grows in dry prairies and roadsides. It has the largest flowers of Missouri-native species with greenish-yellow flowers and purple speckles in early summer. This is a lesser-known species among gardeners, but well worth consider-

ing. Performs best in full sun and well-drained dry or rocky soils. Whorled milkweed (Asclepias verticillata) is a suckering perennial that is 1 to 2 feet tall. It colonizes in full sun, less so in part shade. Its flowering stems emerge densely from the ground, hence the other common name—horsetail milkweed. Its stems are upright with narrow leaves and tiny greenishwhite fragrant flowers in clusters along the stem in late summer. This plant is sometimes considered aggressive by gardeners, though it is slow to get established. Performs

best in full sun to part shade and dry to average soils. Horticulturist Scott Woodbury is the Curator of the Whitmore Wildflower Garden at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, MO, where he has worked with native plant propagation, design, and education for 28 years, and which is supported by the Missouri Department of Conservation. He also is an advisor to the Missouri Prairie Foundation’s Grow Native! program. Find suppliers of milkweeds at www.grownative.org, Resource Guide.

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Hydrangea macrophylla

Summer Crush stunning color, distinctive re-bloomer CHELSEA DIDDE RICE shares the merits of this new hydrangea variety, perfect for landscapes or containers.

s gardeners, we are often in search of something unique and special to add to our landscape. It might be a rare fern, heirloom tomato plant, variegated elephant ear, or multi-trunked tree. This search for the uncommon is what drives many plant hybridizers and breeders to create countless innovative varieties. Among these varieties are new and unique hydrangeas like Summer Crush. Introduced last year, Summer Crush comes from the creators of the Endless Summer® hydrangea series. This new variety produces rich, raspberry-red mophead blooms in late spring, and continues to rebloom through fall. Alkaline to neutral soil will produce the picture perfect raspberry colored blooms, while acidic soil results in stunning purplish blue flowers. The flowers are deeper and more richly colored than many hydrangeas on the market. Deep green, glossy foliage offsets the clusters of blooms and provides a consistent source of color in the middle of the garden bed. Location In our Kansas City climate, hydrangea macrophylla like Summer Crush prefer a few hours of direct morning sun before being shaded during the searing afternoon hours. My Summer Crush hydrangeas are planted on the east 12

May 2020 | kcgmag.com

side of my house and get about five or six hours of sun from morning to mid-day. This keeps their blooms looking fresh for weeks and the glossy, green foliage unscorched. If you don’t have an open flower bed with this sun exposure, you’re

Care Summer Crush hydrangeas are fairly drought tolerant once established, though they may grow larger and stronger with a deep soak of supplemental water once or twice a week if the soil surrounding the

in luck! Summer Crush hydrangeas, as well as other Endless Summer hydrangeas, are perfectly happy when grown in containers since they only grow about three feet tall and wide. By growing in a container, you can move the plant around until you find the spot in your yard (or on your patio) where it performs the best.

plant is dry. All hydrangeas benefit from an early spring application of fertilizer with an optional second application at the beginning of July. Easy-to-use organic fertilizers like Espoma Flower Tone or Plant Tone are often recommended because, since they’re organic, it’s almost impossible to overdose or burn the plant if you use a bit too

much. Be sure to stop all hydrangea fertilizing at the end of July so you’re not encouraging the plant to produce new growth that won’t have time to toughen up before fall and winter arrive. Since Summer Crush hydrangeas bloom on both old and new wood, it’s important to not prune these types after about August 1st. This will ensure you don’t disturb next year’s bud formation. The buds on the old wood from the previous year will provide early season blooms, and the buds that eventually form on new growth will deliver flowers later in the season. When winter approaches, it’s a good idea to insulate the base of your hydrangeas with six to eight inches of mulch or leaves. This will prevent severe damage to the branches from frigid temperatures. Uncover the bases when spring weather arrives. Whether you’re looking for a showy, unique hydrangea to add to your growing collection, or you’re new to hydrangeas and want to give them a try, the Summer Crush hydrangea is sure to be a winner this summer. When Chelsea Didde Rice isn’t at work as a senior communications specialist, she’s an avid gardener who enjoys teaching people how easy it can be to garden.

Photos courtesy of Bailey Nursery.

The Kansas City Gardener | May 2020

The Great American Sycamore Tree

really like big trees. Perhaps my favorite, and one of America’s largest species, is the big white tree that stands out in the winter forest, the American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis). It is one of the most beautiful native trees in our area and it catches the eye wherever it grows, whether along Ward Parkway, Brush Creek just west of the Plaza, in the woodlands of the Overland Park Arboretum, or in one of the old cemeteries or parks of Kansas City. The bark, one of the strongest attributes of the tree, is greenish when the tree is young. Then when older, the bark becomes gray-brown and scaly in its lower portion and exfoliating on the upper trunk to a brilliant, gleaming white. During the winter months, this tree has no equal, as the upper trunk is particularly con-

spicuous amongst its neighboring species, even when seen from a distance. The genus name Platanus comes from the Greek word, platanos, for the Oriental Planetree (Platanus orientalis). The species, occidentalis means from the west. Sycamore refers to different types of trees in different parts of the world. In Europe the word “sycamore” actually refers to a maple tree that is common there– the Planetree or Sycamore Maple (Acer pseudoplatanus). Early European settlers in America allegedly named our American tree Sycamore because its leaves were similar to their maple. In the Middle East, “sycamore” or “sycomore” refers to the fig trees (Ficus sycomorus) that are growing there. In the Bible, the short man Zacchaeus was high up in a syca-

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Photos by Jim Earnest.

Enthusiastic about all trees, JIM EARNEST discusses the mighty American Sycamore, its history and features.

more (fig) tree in hopes of seeing Jesus walk by. The American Sycamore is a common tree, native throughout eastern North America. It is a lowland tree, ordinarily growing in bottomlands and along streams, rivers, and flood plains. Not surprisingly, it is tolerant of very wet and poorly drained soils. It grows amongst cottonwood trees (Populus deltoides), bottomland oaks (Quercus species) and black walnut trees (Juglans nigra). The American Sycamore, also known as the American planetree, buttonwood tree and buttonball tree, is fast growing and longlived. It may attain a height of 100 feet or more, with an equal spread and a massive trunk that may reach 6 to 8 feet or more in diameter. The Missouri state champion Sycamore is on private property in Perry County (southeastern part of the state), and is 138 feet tall with a trunk diameter of more than 6 feet. The American Sycamore is monoecious, that is male and female flowers are on the same tree. Both flowers appear in separate, tightly compacted ball-shaped clusters along with the leaves in April to May. The male flower is yellowish, and the female reddish in color. Each “ball” ranges from 2 to 5 centimeters in diameter. The

female flowers give way to fuzzy tan colored fruiting balls that hang from long stalks and mature in early fall. Many of them persist on the tree through the winter and early spring. These balls consist of numerous tightly packed tiny seeds that are disbursed by the wind as the ball breaks apart on the tree. Leaves of the American Sycamore are dark green, have 3 to 5 lobes, and may be quite large, as much as 10 inches wide, with coarse teeth at the margins. Fall color is rather unremarkable. Because of the Sycamore’s large size, it is best grown in parks, golf courses, and other open spaces. The hybrid London Planetree (Platanus x acerfolia) is a cross between the American Sycamore and the Oriental Planetree. It is a very common and popular street tree both here in America and in England where it has been used as a street tree for hundreds of years. Drive along Ward Parkway north of 55th Street and on along Brush Creek just west of the Country Club Plaza and marvel at the huge and beautiful American Sycamore trees growing in the median there. Jim Earnest, Education Committee, Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens and Member, Kansas Native Plant Society.

Annual Union Hill Garden Tour scheduled for June 14, 2020

e are currently in uncertain times and it is hard to predict when the stay at home requirement is lifted. If we are able to gather together by June, the Union Hill neighborhood will hold their Annual Garden Tour on Sunday, June 14, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Located downtown between 31st Street and Union Cemetery, and bordered by Main Street and Gillham, Union Hill is a walkable, charming historic Victorian neighborhood filled with avid gardeners. Gardens along the walking tour feature everything from spectacular floral displays to container gardens to an urban farm and even chickens! The tour starts at 31st and Grand then follows a walking path through the neighborhood. Attendees will receive a map and guide to the gardens on the tour. A donation of $10 is requested, with funds going to help with restoration of Union Hill Cemetery and to beautify the public spaces in the neighborhood. Garden Tour tickets can be purchased on the day of the tour, or in advance through the

Union Hill Garden Tour Facebook page: @UnionHillGardenTour. Small group guided tours of the Union Cemetery are also available on June 14th for an additional $10. Founded in 1857, the cemetery is the oldest public cemetery in Kansas City, MO. It’s the final resting place for over 55,000 souls and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You will be guided through the cemetery to see the many beautiful trees that live there, some of which are champions! Combo tickets include both the Garden Tour and Union Cemetery tour. Please purchase combo tickets in advance. Tickets are available on the Union Hill Garden Tour Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ events/218929699183662/). Combo tickets will not be sold on the day of the tour. The Garden Tour and Union Cemetery tour will be cancelled and tickets refunded if the current directives to stay at home and limit group sizes is extended past the scheduled tour date. Please contact Stacy Garrett for updates: 816-9200459; thestacygarrett@gmail.com.

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Best Butterfly Host Plants Butterfly maven, LENORA LARSON, identifies the best butterfly host plants for an ornamental garden.

Where to Buy Butterfly Host Plants Every year the Paola Plant Sale meets the needs of area butterfly gardeners with over 30 species of host plants, including nine species of Milkweeds. Our sale has been cancelled due to the COVID19 isolation strategy. Our host plants are grown for us by Vinland Valley Nursery in Baldwin, KS and will be available for sale at their nursery, which is open with driveup service. Call to confirm, 785-594-2966.

Photos by Lenora Larson.

ost gardeners, including me, value beauty above all in our gardens. Many don’t even try butterfly gardening because they fear weedy, unruly host plants. However, there are many butterfly host plants that are garden-worthy. Remember, each species of butterfly has only a few plants that are edible for its caterpillar and without host plants for at least three species of butterflies, by definition you do not have a butterfly garden. The following plants have met my aesthetic and lepidopteran needs for over 20 years so I enthusiastically recommend them to fellow butterfly gardeners. These plants are beautiful and non-invasive. In case you have room, I’ve also included a small tree. The Violet and Hop Tree prefer partial sun or partial shade; the rest love full-sun but will grow in partial sun. Google each plant for more information.

Angelonia, AKA “Summer Snapdragon” loves our summer heat and humidity.

Bird’s Foot Violet in bloom. It doesn’t selfseed or spread by rhizomes.

Hoptree bloom smells like orange blossoms.

The native perennial Swamp Milkweed blooms in July.

Tropical Milkweed blooms May through October as an annual in our area.

Rue flowers–be sure to deadhead or you’ll rue the day you planted it!

Host Plant

Botanical Name

Butterfly

Comments

Angelonia

Angelonia angustiolia

Buckeye

Vivid flowers in many colors

Bird’s Foot Violet

Viola pedata

3 species of Fritillary

Non-spreading, stays in clumps

Parsley

Petroselinum crispum

Black Swallowtail

Grow enough for both of you

Rue

Ruta graveolens

Black and Giant Swallowtail

Blue-green foliage, yellow flowers

Tropical Milkweed Swamp Milkweed

Asclepias curassavica Asclepias incarnata

Monarch

- Red/yellow Tropical - P ink native choice (well-behaved)

Hop Tree

Ptelia triboliata

Tiger and Giant Swallowtails

Cold-hardy native Citrus tree

Marais des Cygnes Extension Master Gardener, Idalia Butterfly Society and Kansas Native Plant Society member, Lenora Larson gardens and hosts butterflies in the cruel winds and clay soil of Paola, Kansas. She may be contacted at lenora.longlips@gmail.com. 16

May 2020 | kcgmag.com

Plants on Your Plate – Beets DENISE SULLIVAN talks about nutritious food and preparing healthy meals, including beets.

s I visited with friends about vegetables, it seems that beets are another sorely misunderstood vegetable. Growing up at my house, I remember having them one of two ways: cold as pickled beets (that I still enjoy) or hot in a thickened vinegar laden sauce that my mom called Harvard Beets, of which I was not a fan. A quick google search will confirm that Harvard Beets are essentially hot pickled beets, a concept that is difficult for my brain to process. Thanks, but I’ll take my pickles cold. There is a lot to eat when it comes to beets, as the root, stem and leaf all can be prepared in a variety of ways. The tops, known as beet greens, can be prepared like any other green by sautéing, or if young and tender enough, as a salad green. The stems of the beet plant can also be diced and added to the sautéed greens; much like preparing Swiss chard. The beet is the bulbous taproot of the plant. The size of the beet is dependent upon the space available to develop, as is the case with most root vegetables. Beets will have the best flavor and be less fibrous if they are smaller than 3 inches in diameter. To make use of both the greens and the beet, they are best separated and stored separately. The greens should be ‘soaked and swished’ to remove dirt, drained, wrapped in paper towels and stored in a perforated plastic bag. The beet should be stored in a perforated plastic bag and washed prior to cooking and peeling the skins after cooking. Beets are an excellent source of folate, manganese, iron and riboflavin, while the greens are rich in vitamin A, C, K, calcium and potassium. This nutrient profile makes beets beneficial in maintaining healthy blood circulation and pressure, bone strength, and neural tube development in developing babies. Beets also show promise in reducing inflammation. Beets range in color from deep purple to ruby red to golden to white. There

Roasted Beet, Orange and Arugula Salad Calories: 443, Total Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 6.7g, Sodium: 301mg, Carbohydrates: 53g, Fiber: 13g, Protein: 14.5g

is even a red and white striped variety, nick named the candy cane beet. Sugar beets are the most common type white beet. People often avoid beets due to their tendency to stain utensils (and clothing), but the deep color is actually desirable use a natural food dye. Purple and red beets also have a stronger flavor, so golden beets would be a milder flavor choice. Preparation methods can also have an influence on flavor. Boiling is the easiest and most common method of preparation, but also results in the strongest flavor. Roasting tends to mellow the flavor and bring out more of the natural sweetness, as is common with root vegetables. While Julia Child is quoted as saying she is a ‘beet freak who cooks them in a pressure cooker’, roasting is my preferred method for cooking beets (if I’m not pickling them). The recipe here is my copycat version of one of my favorite restaurant salads that combines roasted beets, oranges and avocados with arugula for a colorful springtime salad. I hope you enjoy it too! Denise Sullivan (@MUExtJackson Co) is a Nutrition and Health Education Specialist for MU Extension in Jackson County. For research-based nutrition and food safety information and programs, call 816-482-5850 or visit www. extension2.missouri.edu.

8 beets (2 inch diameter) 1 tablespoon olive oil 3 oranges (1 for juicing) 2 avocados, peeled and sliced 4 cups arugula 4 ounces goat cheese ¼ cup pecans, toasted 6 ounces plain yogurt ¼ cup orange juice 2 tablespoons honey 1 teaspoon poppy seeds

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Scrub beets and remove stems if not already done. Coat beets with olive oil and wrap each beet in foil. Place on baking sheet and roast for 50-60 minutes until tender. Remove from foil and let cool. While beets are roasting, peel 2 oranges and separate into sections. Squeeze remaining orange to yield ¼ cup juice. For dressing, combine yogurt, orange juice, honey and poppy seeds; refrigerate. When beets are cool enough to handle, peel and slice. Divide arugula onto four plates and top each salad with ¼ of the beets, oranges, avocados, goat cheese and pecans. Drizzle with dressing. ENJOY!

Serves 4. Original recipe, analyzed by verywellfit.com.

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Powell Gardens Launches New Digital Content to Bring the Gardens to News Feeds Across Kansas City and Beyond

ome garden Q&As with horticulture staff, weekly educational activities for kids, and beautiful updates from the Gardens to remind KC that spring is not cancelled. Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s botanical garden, is launching a

series of new digital content initiatives to stay connected with its community while approximately 75% of Americans have been directed to shelter-in-place in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. While Powell Gardens is closed to the public until further notice in order to keep

its community safe and comply with the direction of local officials, it can remain a bright spot in news feeds and inboxes, providing beautiful, useful, and calming content. “Now more than ever, the familiar and unyielding rhythm of Mother Nature can provide a calming consistency,” said Tabitha Schmidt, CEO/President of Powell Gardens. “It reminds us that the world goes on even in anxious and challenging times.” Home Garden Q&A with Horticulture Staff The essential horticulture staff at the Gardens are focused on garden maintenance and staying ahead of Mother Nature. Many in our community are doing the same in their own gardens while spending more time at home. Each week, Powell Gardens asks its online community to submit their home

gardening questions and responds with expert advice from the horticulture team. Outdoor Activities for Kids The education team at Powell Gardens is translating its programming to the digital world, offering video content and weekly downloadable outdoor activities that kids can do in their own backyards while they are out of school. Updates from the Gardens Springtime in the Gardens is a crowd favorite. While visitors are unable to get to the Gardens in person, they can see what is blooming on Facebook and Instagram, and learn more from Susan Mertz, Director of Horticulture who is writing biweekly updates from the Gardens. www.powellgardens.org

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Update, clean, rearrange On-going bed maintenance New & existing gardens Professional ser vice

Upcoming Garden Events places to go, things to do, people to see

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ATTENTION: At the time of this printing, some events may have been cancelled or postponed. Confirm the event status before planning to attend. tickets can be purchased on the day of the tour, or in advance through the Union Hill Garden Tour Facebook page: @ UnionHillGardenTour. The Garden Tour and Union Cemetery tour will be cancelled and tickets refunded if the current directives to stay at home and limit group sizes is extended past the scheduled tour date. Please contact Stacy Garrett for updates: 816-920-0459; thestacygarrett@ gmail.com.

Events & Garden Tours Kansas City Rose Show June 6. Loose Park Garden Center. Free and open to all rose growers. Show room open to exhibitors only. For more information and show rules visit kansascityrosesociety.org Kansas City Rose Day June 7. Loose Park Rose Garden and Garden Center. Rose show open for public viewing 1-5pm. Family-friendly activities, music and treats in the rose garden. For more information visit kansascityrosesociety.org

Garden Stroll June 20. 9am to 4pm, Wichita’s North Riverside Neighborhood is hosting our 8th biennial Garden Stroll which highlights five diverse and delightful neighborhood gardens, as well as our landscaped triangle garden. Proceeds support our entryways and landscape projects. Admission is $7.00 to all five gardens and tickets will be available at Johnson’s Garden Centers, Seasonal Decorating, on line at https://northriversideict.square. site/ or on the day of the Stroll tickets can be purchased at each host garden.

Union Hill Garden Tour June 14. 10am to 3pm. The tour starts at 31st and Grand then follows a walking path through the neighborhood. Attendees will receive a map and guide to the gardens on the tour. A donation of $10 is requested, with funds going to help with restoration of Union Hill Cemetery and to beautify the public spaces in the neighborhood. Garden Tour

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Adjusting Irrigation Controllers Irrigation professional, DUDLEY GROSSMAN discusses the need to inspect controllers when activating the system.

pringtime is the most beautiful time of year in Kansas City, rivaled only by the brilliance of the colors of fall foliage. However, the flush of color and new growth we experience every spring can lull us into a false sense of security. The common misconception of irrigation systems, particularly in the Midwest, is that we can simply ‘set it and forget it.’ However, spring rains and moderate temperatures dictate different settings for an irrigation controller than the harsher climate that can be experienced during the summer months. Generally, when an irrigation system is activated in the spring, the programming is set up to reflect the lower temperatures and increased rainfall amounts typically experienced during the growing season.

The problem with that is that as we transition to the heat and dryness of summer, often the irrigation system is overlooked, and the controller is not adjusted to meet the higher watering demands of the summer months. A standard controller relies completely on the programming entered at the beginning of the season to determine the watering frequency and duration for each specific zone on the system. If outfitted with a rain sensor, these same controllers can skip a watering cycle as needed, based on the amount of water received at that location. However, they do not automatically adjust themselves based on the change in seasons. There have been some wonderful advancements in the irrigation industry, specifically targeted at

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The common misconception of irrigation systems, particularly in the Midwest, is that we can simply ‘set it and forget it.’ However, spring rains and moderate temperatures dictate different settings for an irrigation controller than the harsher climate that can be experienced during the summer months. controllers. These new “smart controllers” have many features that help a homeowner stay on top of their irrigation settings and needs. Smart controllers take into account temperature, rainfall, wind speed, soil type, exposure and slope to help determine the proper run time for the existing conditions and whether a scheduled run time needs to be lengthened, shortened or skipped altogether. Another issue that needs to be addressed is how much water

you need to be putting down each week. Typically, a sprinkler system is divided into zones and each zone requires a different amount of water, based on the plant material that is in that zone. Smart controllers can have the ability to adjust the watering cycles and run times automatically, while standard controllers need to be adjusted manually to match the season and weather conditions that are expected as well as the differing water requirements of the vegetation found on the property.

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Undiagnosed or simply ignored, a system may not perform at peak efficiency and the summer months seem to magnify any issues. A primary concern about smart controllers is how hard it is to convert over from a standard controller to a new smart system. Typically, the conversion from an older-style controller to a smart controller can be completed in about an hour. Besides the automatic adjustment features, the smart controller allows you to operate your system from either your phone or a tablet from virtually anywhere, so long as you have internet to your house. And, if you grant electronic access to your smart controller, repairs or adjustments to your system can be made without you having to be there to provide physical access to your controller. Granting electronic access to your smart controller does not give anyone access to any of your personal information or electronic data. Having a professional adjust your system leading into a new season not only adjusts the system to run according to the different watering requirements of your

property, but it also gets eyes on your system, making sure your system is operating at peak efficiency to help decrease water usage and save money. Often, because an irrigation system is almost entirely underground, routine maintenance and repairs are overlooked or postponed. Undiagnosed or simply ignored, a system may not perform at peak efficiency and the summer months seem to magnify any issues you may have, resulting in less than spectacular turf or landscape displays. This decline in your irrigated areas can often lead to misdiagnosed issues with plant material, when in fact it is a problem with an underperforming irrigation system. Having an irrigation professional inspect your system early in the summer season will help you maintain the health and vigor of your landscaping and turf areas throughout the long hot summer season. You will find that the minimal cost of a summer inspection will enhance the quality of your lawn and landscape, as well as give you a healthy dose of peace of mind throughout the long hot season. Dudley Grossman is a 17-year irrigation professional in the green industry, working for Ryan Lawn and Tree. He is the Metro Area Irrigation Department Manager working at the Shawnee Branch. Grossman has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forest Management from the University of Missouri - Columbia and is backflow certified with both the ASSE and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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• Verticut or core aerate zoysia to reduce thatch layer. • Sod or sprig bare areas of zoysia. • Fertilize zoysia with a high nitrogen product to promote green-up and summer growth. • Mow zoysia at 2 inches tall. • Spot treat broadleaf weeds on a day without wind. • Apply a slow-release fertilizer to bluegrass and tall fescue if watering during the summer. • Mow bluegrass and tall fescue at 3 inches. • Withhold early summer watering until needed to promote more drought-tolerant lawns. • Let grass clippings fall to return needed nutrients to the turf. • Keep mower blade sharp for a clean cut. • Don’t blow grass clippings into the street. Discharge back onto the lawn to keep our streams clean.

n VEGETABLES AND FRUITS

• Plant tomato, pepper and eggplant transplants in early May. • Seed sweet corn, cucumbers, squash, beans and other warm-season vegetables. • Cultivate soil lightly with a hoe to control weed growth. • Mound soil around potato plants to encourage tuber formation. • Harvest fresh asparagus until the spear size decreases. • Remove rhubarb seed stalks to promote leaf growth. • Plant kitchen herbs for summer use. • Harvest salad crops and enjoy. • Keep broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage well fertilized for big yields. • Treat fruit trees with needed pesticides to manage insects and disease. • Thin dense fruit set on apples and peaches to increase fruit size and next year’s crop.

n TREES AND SHRUBS

• Plant new trees and shrubs. • Prune spring flowering shrubs after bloom to shape the plant and encourage flowers next year. • Mulch around young trees and shrubs to conserve moisture and control weed growth. • Water young ornamentals as needed. • Remove tree wraps for summer growth. • Remove tree stakes that have been in place more than one growing season. • Fertilize trees to help increase growth rates. • Use caution with line trimmers around trees and shrubs so as not to damage tender bark.

n FLOWERS

• Plant annual flowers for summer color. • Continue to plant and divide perennials. • Mulch perennial, annual gardens for weed control,moisture retention. • Begin pinching chrysanthemums for bushier plants. • Allow foliage from spring bulbs to stay until it dies down naturally. This develops stronger blooms for next year. • Plant container gardens and hanging baskets using a good quality potting mix. • Keep a garden journal for permanent reference.

n HOUSEPLANTS

• Move plants outdoors for summer by gradually increasing the exposure to sunlight. • Fertilize plants to promote summer development. • Rotate plants to develop a well-rounded plant. • Wash dusty leaves in the shower under room temperature water. • Start new plants with 4 to 6-inch cuttings. • Repot plants into a 1-inch larger pot; check for insects.

Johnson County K-State Research and Extension recommends environmentally-friendly gardening practices. This starts by identifying and monitoring problems. Cultural practices and controls are the best approach for a healthy garden. If needed, use physical, biological or chemical controls. Always consider the least toxic approach first. Dennis Patton is the horticulture agent for Johnson County K-State Research and Extension. For free information fact sheets, visit www.johnson.ksu.edu, or call the Extension office at 913-715-7000. EST.2007

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Hotlines for Gardeners Extension Master Gardeners are ready to answer your gardening questions.

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